New Diplomacy?

10 years ago

Hollywood Visits Tehran

Might an envoy led by bold-faced Hollywood names lead to talks with notoriously antagonistic Iran? Annette Bening and motion picture academy president Sid Ganis are in Tehran this weekend in an exchange approved by the State Department “for cultural purposes only” and which an AMPAS spokesperson said contained “no political agenda.” The Wrap reports they are expected to attend seminars and visit film locations. The art adviser to Iranian President Ahmadinejad said Iran’s cinema officials will speak with members of Hollywood “when they apologize to the Iranians for their 30 years of insults and slanders” and cited The Wrestler and 300 as offensive films. Back to you, Obama.